Hyundai patented a gated manual that can also drive as an automatic. The shifter has no physical link to the transmission, only shift-by-wire. Patent leaves the door open for both EV and combustion applications. For some legacy brands, the idea of building a car that appeals to driving enthusiasts is completely foreign. That’s not the case at Hyundai, which continues to churn out some of the most thrilling vehicles in their respective segments, thanks to the N division. Hyundai N set a new standard for driver involvement in EVs with the Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N. It now appears to be working on a new kind of transmission, perfect for gearheads. Based on recent patents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Hyundai is developing a gated manual transmission that can also function as an automatic. Read: Porsche Has A Crazy Idea To Keep The Manual Alive, But It’s Not That Simple Koenigsegg pioneered the use of a transmission that functions as both an automatic and a manual, complete with a clutch pedal, in the CC850 a couple of years ago. A recent patent filing also suggests that Porsche is investigating a similar transmission for its own use, combining the ease of use of an automatic with the engagement of a stick shift. A Transmission For All? USPTO Patents filed with the USPTO and uncovered by CarBuzz describe a shifter with no physical connection to the transmission, using shift-by-wire tech to function as an automatic most of the time. A gated mechanism linked to a clutch pedal sits alongside it, letting drivers row through first to sixth and into reverse as if they were working a regular manual. USPTO When a driver is stuck in traffic or simply wants to cruise home without worrying about the gears, the shifter could be moved to Drive and function in automatic mode. There’s even a sequential shifting setting, where drivers could push the shifter forward or back to shift between gears while on the move. The patent provides no limitation on what kind of powertrain this transmission could work with, presumably meaning it could be added to future EVs from Hyundai, as well as to combustion-powered models. The catch is the business case. Building a transmission this elaborate is one thing. Finding enough buyers willing to choose it over a regular automatic to justify the engineering bill is another.
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